Shoulder-strap supporter



Oct. 8, 1929. K. TUTHILL SHOULDER STRAP SUPPORTER Filed May 24, 1928 eaeeoooooooooooooaocoo r M m Patented Oct. 8, 1929 l more@ Parr KATHERINE TUTI-IILL, OF OAKLAND, CALIFRNA SHOULIDER-SIRALEy SUPPOR'IER Application led'May 24, 1928. SeriaI No. 280,235.

The present invention relates to improvements in shoulder strap supporters for ladies undergarments, and has for its principal object to provide a means which will prevent the shoulder straps from slipping' .off the shoulders of the wearer'.

The present practice is to provide the upper edge of a ladys under garment with shoulder straps which consist of very thin bands passing over the shoulders and are attached to the garment at the front and back.

Considerable difficulty is experienced in maintaining these bands in posit-ion on the shoulders and furthermore cause discomfort to the wearer and when worn with sleeveless or short sleeved dresses, they are apt to present a somewhat unsightly appearance.

It is therefore, one of the principalvaims of the present invention to provide a supporter for the shoulder straps that will properly maintain the bands or straps in position on the shoulders without causing any discomfort to the wearer, and furthermore the supporting means is of such construction as to permit a low neck gown to be worn without said supporting means being visible. Still a further object is to provide a shoulder strap support which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects of the invention-will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds and when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

ln the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application and wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views: 'j

Figure 1 is a perspective view l,of the shoulder strap supporter embodying my invention, showing the manner in which the same is attached to the undergarment and to the shoulder straps.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View showing the connection'between the supporter and the under side of one of the shoulder straps, and

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates the ordinary and common form of silk undershirt, although any other undergarment may be yemployedv for the purpose of illustrating the present invention.

The shoulder straps are designated by the Vnumerals 2 and 3 respectively and these straps are secured to the front of the undergarment, at one end, and the other ends of the'shoulder straps are attached to the back of the garment. My improved shoulder strap supporter comprising an elongated band of 'suitable material, is designated generally by the numeral 4. This elongated band or strap 4 is stitched to vthe inner side of the central portion oft-he front of the'under garment, adjacent the upper edge thereof, asat 5, for disposition .between the front portions of the shoulder straps 2 and 3. rlFhe elongated strap is folded back upon itself, as at 6 and 7, and the folded bac-lr portions are stitched Ato the respective ends ofthe horizontal intermediate portion' 5 in such a manner that the end portions of the elongated strap extend upwardly in diverging relation as shown at 8 and 9 respectively, and each of the end portions is folded back upon itself as at 1() vand this portion .is stitched to the under side of the crown portion of the respective shoulder stra-p as clearly indicated in Figure 2, after which the freeends of the straps are disposed downwardly in converging relation as at 11 and 12 respectively and the free ends of the elongated straps 4 are stitched to the inner side of j the central portion of the back of the under garment inwardly of the respective back portions of the shoulder' strap.

`An elastic piecel of material 13 encircles the bight `portion of each shoulder strap and the adjacent portion/of the strip 4, and separable fastening means designated generally by the numeral 14 is associated with the free end' of each elastic piece of materialfor connecting the same together and these loops provide means for receiving additional shoulder straps'of other under garments worn on top of the shirt 1.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that I have' provided 'a shoulder strap supporter that will not interfere with the putting on or taking oft' of the garment and furthermore will at all times be positive and e'liicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed. A shoulder strap supporter of this character can be readily and easily attached to an undergarment without necessitating any alterations of the parts of the undergarments or shoulder straps and will furthermore be very inexpensive.

l/Vhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is: Y

l. In combination with an undergarment having the usual shoulder straps, a supporter for said shoulder straps comprising an elongated strip of material having its intermediate portion secured to the central portion of the garment at the front thereof, inwardly of the front portions of the shoulder strap, the end portions of the elongated strip of material extending upwardly in diverging relation for overlapping engagement with the bight portions of the respective shoulder straps, said portions of the strips being stitched to the adjacent portions of the shoulder straps, the free ends of the'strip of material being disposed downwardly in'converging relation, the extremities of the strip being stitched to the central portion of the back of the garment.

2. In combination with a garment having the usual shoulder straps, a supporter therefor comprising an elongated strip of material having its intermediate portions stitched to the upper portionof theJ front of the garment,

at the central portion thereof, the end portions of the strips being folded back, whereby said end portions are disposed upwardly in diverging relation, the folded back portions being stitched to the front side of the garment, said diver-ging ends of the strip being folded back at points inwardly of the free ends thereof, the last mentioned folded back portions being disposed directly beneath the bight portions of the respective shoulder straps and being stitched thereto, the free end portions of the strip being disposed downwardly in converging relation, the extremities of the strip being stitched to the central portion of the back of the garment.

In testimony whereof I atliX my signature.

KATHERINE TUTHILL. 

